Faster, safer, smarter: How Southern Linc and L3Harris Radios with MCPTT feature equips Georgia Power Company to conquer disaster response challenges

Tackling restoration after a storm is never easy. It demands clear communication, seamless coordination and unwavering reliability. This year alone, Georgia Power has faced 19 major storms, making reliable communication tools more critical than ever for safe and swift recovery efforts.

By using the mission critical connectivity provided by Southern' Linc's CriticalLinc™, LTE network, along with L3H XL radios enabled with the Two47 MCPTT feature, Georgia Power Company crews have been able to keep storm response activities moving. With fast, clear and dependable MCPTT communication, teams can overcome challenges in affected areas, coordinate repairs across miles of downed infrastructure and restore power faster than they could before using rugged and dependable L3Harris radios.

Facing the storm: Communication under pressure

Dense tree canopies and remote terrain regularly challenge wireless connectivity across Georgia, and communications systems can struggle during severe weather events. Power company work teams can experience connectivity issues in remote locations that make critical restoration activities difficult. There have been times when linemen had to drive miles to get a signal to talk with a team member about an issue. Additionally, overcrowded communication channels can create bottlenecks, leaving workers unable to relay updates effectively. Georgia Power required a storm response solution that would not only withstand severe conditions but also allow for seamless communication across teams, enabling faster restoration times and safer operations.

Empowering reliable communication for swift response

During and after a storm, communication is vital to ensure coordination across agencies, organizations and restoration teams. Without effective communication tools, delays occur, the safety risks increase and the time needed to restore power extends dramatically.

L3Harris radios equipped with the Two47 MCPTT feature operating on Southern Linc's CriticalLinc network continue to provide reliable performance, even in challenging environments like extreme flooding and curvy, mountainous terrain where workers cannot rely on sight for coordination. Crews use dedicated MCPTT storm talk groups to bypass congestion on main communication lines. Dedicated talk groups enable real-time collaboration and uninterrupted workflows. Rechargeable batteries lasting up to 16 hours keep teams online during long restoration efforts. These features enhance teamwork, allowing workers to share updates and coordinate their actions effectively.

Southern Linc’s CriticalLinc LTE network is specifically engineered for mission-critical communication. Unlike some commercial carrier networks, which can become overloaded during high-traffic events like severe weather storms, Southern Linc’s MCPTT communication is prioritized through dedicated bandwidth, priority access and the network’s preemption capabilities. Even when traditional networks go down, Georgia Power crews remain connected due to network redundancies and the hardened LTE network infrastructure.

Confidence in the reliability of L3Harris radios enables Georgia Power workers to focus on the restoration process instead of worrying about potential communication failures. The assurance of a dependable system gives power company crews peace of mind, enabling them to prioritize safety and restore power lines efficiently. For instance, on a remote mountain road, workers use their radios to coordinate wire pulling, ensuring operational safety and carefully managing the re-energizing of power lines.

The impact of reliable communication on disaster recovery

The integration of L3Harris radio technology with Southern Linc’s mission-critical LTE network has enriched Georgia Power’s disaster response efforts by providing crews with reliable, seamless communication in the harshest conditions. This trust in their communication tools has improved safety and empowered workers to focus fully on their tasks without concern, enabling faster, more effective restoration efforts.

One Georgia Power crew member summed it up best, saying, “We’re more confident in our communication, and it’s really improved. Now we can purely focus on the job at hand and not worry about whether our radio will work. Knowing we’ll be able to communicate and get help when we need it, it saves a lot of time.” Another simply said, “It’s a huge stress off our backs. We don’t have to second-guess if we’re connected – we just know we are.”

When the goal is to restore power to communities as safely and quickly as possible, there’s no room for communication gaps. For workers facing tough conditions, MCPTT provides the reliable, clear and secure connection they need to coordinate efforts seamlessly. It’s not just about quickly restoring power; it’s about ensuring every crew member can work safely to help communities restore vital operations.